Jobseeker’s Allowance

Abstract

Jobseeker’s allowance is a social security benefit which was introduced by the Jobseekers Act 1995 and is paid to people who are unemployed or working fewer than 16 hours per week and who are seeking work. It is a benefit with two distinct parts. Contributory jobseeker’s allowance is a contributory non-means-tested benefit payable for the first 26 weeks of unemployment and has replaced unemployment benefit. Income-based jobseeker’s allowance is a non-contributory means-tested benefit payable after 26 weeks of unemployment, or during the first 26 weeks either for claimants not eligible for contributory jobseeker’s allowance or as an additional ‘top up’ to contributory jobseeker’s allowance. Income-based jobseeker’s allowance has replaced income support for people who have to look for work in order to qualify for benefit although, unlike unemployment benefit, income support still exists. It is now a benefit that can only be claimed by those incapable of work due to sickness or illness, who are not required to seek work.